Mt Thielsen on the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway;

just north and a little west of Crater Lake.

Mt Thielsen is 290,000 years old and all that's left is the central plug sitting atop the remains of earlier lava flows.
The smooth sides of the mountain, so evident in this photograph, are composed of ash, deposited when Mt Mazama, the
mountain that now holds Crater Lake, erupted 7,600 years ago.

The most spectacular views of Mt Thielsen are available from the hiking trail.

The trail is accessed on the east side of Hwy 138
near the turnoff to Diamond Lake. The trail in its entirety is 7.9 miles one way. It becomes quite steep, the last 200 feet are nearly
vertical. I have not made the hike to the top, myself, although Brad has. No sooner had he reached his destination and a thunder
storm broke loose. He had to hurry and get out of there, for as I've said elsewhere, Mt Thielsen
is known as the "lightning rod" of the Cascades.

One can still enjoy the beauty of the wilderness area without hiking the full distance of the trail. A breath taking view of
Thielsen can be had just 1.6 miles into the hike at the Spruce Ridge Trail junction, hike 2.9 miles to the junction with the Pacific Crest
Trail and it's possible to see the glacial activity on the mountain peak. The trail degenerates - if I might use that
word - to a scramble trail up the side of the mountain at the last.

To continue your drive, just head south, the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway intersects with the Crater Lake Hwy.
Head south and you'll see the Rogue River Gorge at Union Creek, waterfalls, hiking trails, a historic hotel in Prospect, Oregon.
Head east on the Crater Lake Hwy and you'll come to the south entrance of Crater Lake National Park.

Sightseeing in the Cascade Mountains: Mt Thielsen and
Rabbit Ears viewed from the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway.

Forward ~ Rabbit Ears in Winter.

Back ~ National Creek Waterfall in the
Rogue Siskiyou National Forest.

USFS: The Rogue Siskiyou National Forest.

Brad and I happily present the Diverse Loop Tour: Directions, Map; and
Scenery: waterfalls, hiking trails, the Rogue River Gorge at Union Creek,
Oregon, Mammoth Pines, the Natural Bridge, the Cascade Mountains, Diamond Lake, Crater Lake and more.

Crater Lake on the the Umpqua Waterfall Tour: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery: wild and scenic rivers, waterfalls, hiking trails; equestrian trails,
Crater Lake; hot springs.

Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat
located in southern Oregon near Crater Lake National Park.

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Links pertaining to the retreat only, open a new window.

Travel to Gathering Light ... a retreat on the Umpqua Scenic Byway: Directions, Map & Scenery: hiking trails, waterfalls, the wild and scenic Umpqua River; Crater Lake and more.

Travel Directions to and Day Trips of around 100 miles from the retreat.

Little known Scenic Places: hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, birding, and more near to the retreat and Crater Lake: Directions Map and Scenery.

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Contact Brad at Gathering Light ... a retreat.